The Lemon Index2012 BMW X5.
The 2012 BMW X5 is better than average by owner complaints: 39 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 14 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW X5 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 295 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW X5 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 90K miles on the car (173 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–89K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 35K–85K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 49K–91K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Show all 10 recalls
- engine 2018
The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.
- engine 2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- steering 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES.
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 XDRIVE 35I SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 283 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service engine soon light comes
- Experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like…
- Due to damaged seal ring, during assembly, engine oil is leaking from engine oil pump volume…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedIdler pulley bolt failure2018
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 M SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW X5 Xdrive35D SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4200–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The vehicle reverse unexpectedly resulting in crashing the owner when unloading grocery. The owner of the vehicle in hospitalize and underwent surgery. The owner broke both of his femur bones and right knee cap.
2012 BMW X5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10547317
More owner reports
I was driving 50 mph hour and engine halted. The engine light came on and quickly lost power. The vehicle would then only go 40 mph and had very little power.
NHTSA complaint 10701661
Engine bulkhead covers are broken due to extreme heat. Per tsb sib-51-34-11 by BMW, this can cause corrosion inside the engine. Bmw should cover this repair free of charge.
NHTSA complaint 10780417
Quick answers
Is the 2012 BMW X5 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW X5 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (36%), transmission & drivetrain (26%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW X5 have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW X5 get?
14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,600 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,800 miles, from 173 complaints.
Does the 2012 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $4200 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What BMW X5 year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works